Lightning strikes sparked two fires near Healy Lake Tuesday evening as other wildfires continued to burn across Alaska and new fires ignited in the storms.
Around 7:30 p.m., both fires in the Healy Lake area started and grew fast, according to a statement from the Alaska Division of Forestry. Fairbanks firefighters deployed to battle the flames and protect cabins in the remote and tiny village of Healy Lake, the statement said.
The Division of Forestry estimated one fire, called Healy Lake 2 Fire, at 300 acres around 9:30 p.m. The fire was about one mile long and three-quarters of a mile wide. It's "growing fast," the statement said. "It is at the crest of the hill that leads down to the lake and smokejumpers are setting up sprinklers around cabins on the lake to try to protect them."
The other fire, called Healy Lake Fire, burned just south of Healy Lake 2 Fire. It was estimated at 150 acres, one mile long and a half-mile wide. It was headed down the hill toward the lake, the statement said.
"The two fires are expected to burn together into one large fire shortly. Let's hope that smokejumpers can safely protect the cabins around the lake and stay out of harm's way," it said.
Both fires burned mixed spruce and hardwoods. The Division of Forestry said the Tanana River bordered the fires to the west. Healy Lake bordered them to the east.